Managing Teaching Assistants

This text is based on the research done by the author while working as a senior adviser in a local education authority (LEA). The demand for courses for assistants, and advice for headteachers and senior management led to an in-depth study of what TAs actually do in the classroom to support the teaching and learning. This book shares the rich picture of their work, but also gives many pointers for those who manage schools into how to make the best use of their assistants. It recounts the process of the research with the problems encountered by being part of the educational hierarchy. Following an exploration of what was known about TAs in the UK and a survey of schools in the LEA area, case studies were undertaken in two schools with differing philosophies of deployment of TAs. The observations of TAs at work gave details of the ways in which they supported learners, the teachers, the school and increasingly, the curriculum. The research also showed how their effectiveness depended on the people they were, their professional development opportunities and support of their schools.

'Anne Watkinson digs deep into the TA's role as a member of the teaching team, supporting her analysis with case studies, advice on school policies and practical examples of what to do at classroom level. This is an essential book for any senior management team trying to work out a whole-school approach to including TAs, but it is also a source for advice on how to work with TAs in the classroom.' - Times Educational Supplement

Dr Anne Watkinson is an ex-headteacher and LEA senior adviser who now works as an independent consultant on Teaching Assistant matters. She has also worked for both the DfEE and DfES